Israeli official: Chemical weapons used in Syria

A senior Israeli official says it is ''apparently clear'' that chemical weapons were recently used in Syria, either by the rebels or by the government.

The remarks today by Yuval Steinitz, the newly appointed minister of intelligence and strategic affairs, conflicts with U.S. assessments that there is no evidence behind accusations Tuesday traded between rebels and the regime of a chemical weapons attack in a village in the north of the country.

Steinitz, who was speaking to Army Radio, did not say how he came to the conclusion that the weapons were used.

He said it will be a main topic in talks with visiting President Barak Obama.

Israel has long expressed concerns that Syria's chemical stockpile could reach militant groups such as Hezbollah or al-Qaida-inspired organizations.